Thermostatic valve



ct. 0 1927 H. R. WHITTIER THERMOSTATIC VALVE Fi led Oct. 1, 1925 awwehtoz Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

U NETED HORACE R. WHITTIER, OF PLYMOUTH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE COOPER OVEN THEBMOMETER 00., OF PLYMOUTH, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTI- CUT.

THERMOSTATIC VALVE.

Application filed October 1, 1925. Serial No. 59,801.

This invention relates to thermostatically controlled valves and in particular to an auxiliary air valve adapted to be opened automatically to admit an increased amount of air to the intake manifold of an automobile engine when its temperature has been raised to normal operating cond1t1on.

It is well known that a leaner mixture of gasoline is desirable for internal combustion engines after the engine has been operated for some time and the walls of its combustion chamber brought up to a high operating temperature than when starting w1th the walls relatively cold. It is therefore advantageous to effect this change of mlxture automatically when the engine has been brought to its eflicient operating temperature. -For this purpose an auxiliary valve thermostatically controlled by the temperature of the exhaust manifold, is adapted to admit more air into the intake or suction manifold of the engine when the engine becomes heated, and is adapted to close the auxiliary valve and restr1ct the supply of air to the intake manifold when the temperature is lowered.

It is a primary object of this invention therefore to provide an improved auxihary valve for thls purpose of eflicient design and having its thermostatically responsive material more efiectively positioned and 1nsulated from the outside atmos here.

Another object of the invention is to improve the form of valve adapted to be opened and closed by this thermostatically responsive material, and to improve'the means for retaining the valve in position.

A fu'rther object of the invention is to incorporate a check yalve in the mechanism so 40 that air is ermitted to pass through the auxiliary va ve in one direction only.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown my invention embodied in a thermostatically controlled air valve particularly adapted for Ford cars, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing .is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, thev claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an outside View of the complete valve and its actuating members.

Fig. 2 IS a view of the complete valvefrom the opposite side and partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diametrical sectional view taken on line 4.-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a group of the parts forming the auxiliary valve, and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a modified form of valve. 70

In the above mentioned drawing I have shown two embodiments of the invention which are now deemed preferable, but it will be understood that changes and modifications ma be made within the scope of the appende claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Briefly, and in its broadest aspect, my invention comprises the following principal parts: first, a casing; second, a metallic closure inserted therein and adapted to be placed in contact with the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine; third, a valve opened and closed by rotative movement of a sleeve forming a part thereof; fourth, a thermostatically "responsive element; fifth, a member connecting said element to said sleeve; sixth, an insulating member formin the outer face of the easmg; and sevent a check valve within the sleeve forming the auxiliary valve.

Referring more in particular to the figures of the drawing, I provide a casing 10, preferably cupped out of sheet metal. This, as shown at 11, has its outer face provided with a central opening of large area. Enclosing the o posite side of the casin 10 isa cupped mem er 12 pressed within the side wall of the casing 19.. Within the space between the casing 10 and cupped member-12 is disposed the t ermostatically responsive element 13. This element 13 has one end surrounding a small post 14., its central portion bent around a second 0st 15 and its free end in engage ment wit one end ofa connecting link or wire 16. As shown, these posts 14 and 15 are secured to the cupped member 12 so that the element 13 will e held closel adjacent the heated intake manifold of t e engine. When the element 13 is relatively cool, its 110 position is as shown in full lines in Fig. 2,

' is provided on this p be fastened, as by but, when heated by the temperature of the engine to which the casing 10 and attached parts are attached, its free end takes the angular position shown in the dotted lines in The valve opened and closed by the distortion of the element 13 is in the form of a cylinder 17 bored as at 18 and having a side opening 19. Fitted to the open end of the cylinder 17 is a tube 20 of any form and adapted to extend'into the intake manifold (not shown) of the engine. Surrounding the cylinder 17 is a sleeve 21 also having a side opening 22 so that rotation of the sleeve 21 places the openings 19 and 22 in alinement when in one position, or out of ahnement, and thus closed, in another rotative position. In this way the valve is moved to its open or closed position. In its .open position air may be admitted through the openings 22 and 19 into the pipe 20 and thus into the intake manifold of the engine.

To effect this rotation of the sleeve 21 relative to the cylinder 17,a small plate 23 may soldering, to the sleeve 21. An outstandingv rojection or arm 23 l iite 23 into which the opposite end of the connecting wire 16 is fastened. By these means it will be seen that when the element 13 has been heated and distorted or expanded to the position indicated in dottedlines in Fig. 2, the sleeve 21 will be rotated to open the aperture 19 into the cylinder 17 so that air may be admitted to the intake manifold from the atmosphere in addition to the air normally supplied through the usual intake passages.

To retain the sleeve 21 in position upon the cylinder 17 the sleeve 21 fits loosely over an extension 24 of thecylinder 17 being prevented from movement from the cylinder by means of a rivet 25 on the outer end of the extension 24. The sleeve 21 is there fore free to rotate upon the cylinder 17 and is retained at all times in position thereon. As shown in Fig. 6 a nut 25 is threaded upon the outer end of the extension 24 to retain the sleeve 21 in position.

The opening 11 formed in the casing 10 by cutting out the central portion of the face of the'casin 10 is closed by a circular metal plate 26. n the outside of this plate 26 1s a thickness of enamel 27 preferably fused directly thereto, acting as an insulating material to aid in retaining heat within the casin 10 and member 12. As shown in section 1n Fig. 3, the rivets 28 extend through the plate, 26, the material 27 and through apertures within the casing 10 to securely hold these parts in position. The casing 10 in operation is positioned directly upon the exhaust manifold of an engine, the face of the cupped member 12 lying adjacent thereto so that the element 13 will be quickly heated.

ment closing By means of suitable screws or other means passing through holes 29 in the casing 10, this member lO together with its attached parts may conveniently be mounted in position.

Within the cylinder 17 is inserted a ball 30 pressed by means of a spring 31 toward a seat 32. In this position the ball 30 prevents air from passing through the cylinder 17 in a retrograde direction. Air passing normally through the cylinder 17 lifts the ball 30 from its seat 32 against the force of the spring 31. Air, therefore, is permitted to pass through openings 22 and 19 into the intake connection 20 but cannot pass in the I opposite direct-ion. Also, unless the pressure difference between the air at the opening 22 and within the intake connection 20-is sufiicient to lift the valve 30 from its seat, no air passes through this auxiliary valve. Thus during normal operation the ball 30 will be held raised and air will be admitted through the auxiliary valve. When the engine is idling or rotating very slowly, however, and very little air and gas is being admitted, the vacuum within the intake manifold will beinsufiicient to lift the ball 30 and thus no air will enter through the auxiliary valve. During this period the auxiliary valve will be inoperative and the mixture supplied will be richer than during the normal operation.

What I claim is:

1. Atherinostatically controlled valve comprising in combination, a casing open on one side, a cupped member of heat conducting material inserted therein and closing the open side of said casing, a thermostatic element within said casing and cupped mem-' posite said cupped member, and means passing through said cupped member for supporting said thermostatic element.

2. A thermostatically controlled valve comprising in combination, a casing open on one side and having a heat conducting eleing adapte to be placed closely adjacent the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, a thermostatic element within said casing, a valve adjacent and outside of said casing, said valve being adapted for attachment to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, means connecting said valve and thermostatic element, said valve' comprising a rotatable sleeve, and means for retaining said sleeve in position. 3. A thermostatically controlled valve comprising in combination, a casin open on one side and having a heatcon ucting element closing said 'open side, said element bemgadapted to be placed closely adjacent said open side, said element be- 1 provided with a central opening therein opthe exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, a thermostatic element within said casing, a valve adjacent and outside of said casing, means adapted to attach said valve to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, means connecting said valve and thermostatic element, said valve comprising a rotatable sleeve, and a check valve within said sleeve.

'4. A thermostatically controlled valve comprising; in combination, a casing open on one side and having a heat conducting element closing said open side, said element being adapted to be placed closely adjacent the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, a thermostatic element within said casing, a valve adjacent and outside of said casing means adapted to attach said valve to the intake'manifold of an internal combustion engine, means connecting said valve and thermostatic element, said valve comprising a central hollow cylinder having a lateral aperture, a sleeve rotatably mounted therein, and means comprising an extensiqn on said cylinder and a rivet thereon for retaining said sleeve in position.

5. A thermostatically controlled valve comprising in' combination, a casing open on one side and having a heat conducting element closing said open side, said element being adapted to be placed closely adjacent the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, a thermostatic element within said casing, a valve adjacent and outside of said casing, means adapted to attach said valve to the intake manifold of an internal combustion .engine, means connecting said valve and thermostatic element, said valve comprising a centralhollow cylinder having a lateral aperture, a sleeve rotatably mounted thereon, and a check valve formed within said cylinder.

In testimony whereof, I hereto aflix my signature.

HORACE R. WHITTIER. 

